Joshi attacks Congress over ethanol blending row
In short
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Congress is misleading people on ethanol blending in petrol. He blamed the party’s criticism on politics and said it was aimed at appeasing minorities and Rahul Gandhi.
Joshi said Karnataka backs claims that oil marketing companies are blending a lot of ethanol, while the companies deny it. He argued the Congress claim does not fit petrol and ethanol prices.
What the reporting says
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress of misleading the public over ethanol blending in petrol. He said the party’s criticism was politically motivated and aimed at appeasing minorities and Rahul Gandhi. Joshi also said the Karnataka government backs claims of substantial ethanol blending by oil marketing companies, even as the companies deny it, and argued the Congress claims make no commercial sense given petrol and ethanol prices.
Why it matters
Pralhad Joshi’s remarks, as summarized by the publisher, sharpen the political fight over ethanol blending in petrol. He accused the Congress of spreading misleading claims and said the issue is being used for political appeasement. The summary also says Karnataka supports claims of substantial blending by oil marketing companies, while those companies deny it. Joshi tied his criticism to petrol and ethanol pricing.